Clamping Support for Assembly of Pipe Fencing and Method of Use

ABSTRACT

A method of constructing a fence comprising encircling one or more of the posts with supporting brackets which support railing members for securing to the post. The supporting brackets allowing for repositioning of the rail before securing. The supporting brackets further being conducive to welding, drilling, or use of adhesives in securing the railing to the post.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION NOTICE OF INTENT TO RESERVE COPYRIGHT OR MAST WORK RIGHTS

Not Applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pipe fencing is very popular due to its durability and adaptability to many situations/uses. During fabrication, a plurality of posts are placed in the ground at intervals to support the railing. Horizontal railing is then used to span the gaps between the posts.

A single railing connects one or more posts to create a barrier and to add structural support. Pipes come in lengths as long as 40 feet and can weigh more than 300 lbs., making precise alignment difficult, and requiring several people to properly position and secure each rail.

In one common form of pipe fencing, the rails are attached along the front face of the post. In this configuration, the central axis of the rail is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the post. These axes are offset by a distance of the combined radii of the post and rail, placing the two outer walls of the pipe in proximity, and then joining the pipes in such configuration. This configuration is referred to as a lap joint.

In another common configuration of the pipe fencing, the rails are attached to the sides of the post. In this configuration, the central axis of the rail is oriented perpendicular to the central axis of the post, and these central axes intersect at the approximate center of the joint location. The walls of the post and/or rail are often drilled, notched, cut, or otherwise shaped to reduce gap space in the joint. This configuration is referred to as a butt joint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of typical construction for a welded pipe fence.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of typical construction for a welded pipe fence.

FIG. 3 illustrates a positioning bracket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the innovation.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative positioning bracket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the positioning bracket installed to position a butted rail for securing in accordance with the teachings herein.

FIG. 6 shows the positioning bracket installed to position a spanning rail for securing in accordance with the teachings herein.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the positioning bracket in accordance with the teachings herein.

FIG. 7A shows the attachment of the body to the clamp, in place of force binders, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Described herein is an apparatus and method of use which allows repeatable, precise positioning of the railing by a single individual. A single clamp may be used to quickly and temporarily support one end of a pipe railing at the correct height so a worker may position and secure the distal end. A plurality of clamps may be utilized to position the pipe along its length at multiple points so a worker is free to secure the railing to the post or make positioning adjustments.

In one implementation, the body of the positioning brackets is secured to a plurality of posts at a specific height. In the case of long railing, that span more than a single post interval, positioning brackets may be used at each end and additional positioning brackets may be used on central posts to prevent the rail from sagging under its own weight.

Once the positioning brackets are placed and secured, the railing is lifted onto the positioning brackets. The railing may then be moved horizontally in the positioning brackets to allow precise alignment. Once aligned, the rail is secured to the post. In the preferred embodiment securing the rail to the post is accomplished by welding. One skilled in the arts would appreciate that other methods could be employed such as, but not limited to, bolting, screwing, drilling, pegging, and slotting, or by employing adhesives.

The positioning bracket allows precise, repeatable positioning, because the top of the positioning bracket's body is always secured at a designated offset from the rail's resting position.

In the preferred embodiment, the rail support projects from the body proximately even with the top of the body. The rail will be supported on the top of the rail support for a lap joint; therefore, the positioning brackets should be positioned with the top of the body aligned with the bottom of the rail's desired position.

Railing will be supported on the butt support for a butt joint; therefore, the positioning brackets should be positioned with the top of the body a precise distance below the bottom of the rail's desired position. The precise distance depends on the positioning bracket's actual construction.

FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate a typical construction for a welded pipe fence. Posts (10) are placed in the ground (30) at intervals. The intervals between posts (10) are spanned by rails (20). Top rails (20A) are traditionally secured on top of posts (10) with a notched lap joint (70A) and secured with a welded seam (80) to ‘finish’ the top of the post (10) without requiring a cap or other ‘closing’ of the post (10) top. One or more rails (20) may then be added below the top rail (20A), depending on the fence's intended uses. These rails (20) may be butted rails (20B), or spanning rails (20C).

Butted rails (20B) are cut and optionally notched to fit the interval between the posts (10). The butted rails (20B) are joined to the posts (10) with a butt joint (50) where the ends of the rails (20) are notched to join the sides of the post (10) and then welded (80) into place.

Spanning rails (20C) extend beyond the intervals between the posts (10) and therefore are positioned against the inside or outside of the fence. The outer wall of the spanning rail (20C) is positioned against the outer wall of the post (10) at the desired location and the two are joined producing a lap joint (70). In the preferred embodiment, the joining is accomplished by a weld (80).

FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the positioning bracket. The bracket (100) comprises a body (110) and a door (130) connected by a hinge (120), which allows the bracket to encompass the post (10, not shown) by use of a clamping mechanism (90, not shown), which secures against the force binders (140). One skilled in the arts would appreciate that vice clamping is utilized because the vice clamps are a mainstay of a typical welding kit. However, other mechanisms can be utilized to secure the bracket to the post such as, but not limited to, chaining, screws, spring clamps and levered closers.

From the top edge of the body (110), a rail support (150) extends such that it will be substantially perpendicular to the position of the post. The end of the rail support (150) distal to the body (110) curves upward and ends in a butt support (160), which optionally includes extended butt supports (160A).

FIG. 4 shows an alternative positioning bracket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The bracket comprises a body (110) and a door (130) connected by a hinge (120), which allows the bracket to encompass the post (10, not shown) by use of a clamping mechanism (90, not shown), which secures against the force binders (140). In this embodiment, the body (110) and the door (130) are substantially similar in construction, but are differentiated by the rail support (150) which extends from the top edge of the body (110). In this embodiment, the force binders (140) are significantly larger making it easier to apply multiple clamps for additional holding power.

As in the previous design, a rail support (150) extends from the top edge of the body (110), such that it will be substantially perpendicular to the position of the post. In the preferred embodiment, this rail support (150) is angled slightly upward to cause the rail to naturally roll back toward the post. The end of the rail support (150) distal to the body (110) curves upward and ends in a butt support (160), here shown without the optional extended butt supports (160A).

FIG. 5 shows the positioning bracket installed to position a butted rail for securing in accordance with the teachings herein. The positioning bracket (100, not labeled) is secured to the post (10) with a butted rail (20B), supported by the extended butt support (160 & 160A).

FIG. 6 shows the positioning bracket installed to position a spanning rail for securing in accordance with the teachings herein. The positioning bracket (100, not labeled) is secured to the post (10) with a spanning rail (20C), supported by the rail support (150). A slight upward angle to the rail support (150) causes the rail (20) to naturally rest against the post (10) to facilitate joining.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the positioning bracket in accordance with the teachings herein. In the alternative embodiment, there are two bodies (110) and no door (130). The bodies (110) are NOT joined by the hinge (120). Instead, they are pivotally mounted on the “jaws” of the clamping mechanism (90). This alternative arrangement allows for single handed application of the clamp to the post (10, not shown). The rail support (150) on each body, with the curved upward butt support (160) distal to the body (110) still functions in the same way as previously defined. In an alternative embodiment, one of the bodies (110), which face each other on opposite sides of the post, may be circumrotated 180 degrees such that one rail support (150) points up, and the other points down. This ensures that anytime the clamp is installed on the post, the rail supports (150) are positioned correctly due to the mirrored orientation.

FIG. 7A shows the attachment of the body to the clamp in place of force binders in the ° alternative embodiment of FIG. 7. The jaws of the clamp (90) are pivotally attached to the body (110) via brackets (210). In the preferred embodiment, there are two parallel brackets (210) extending perpendicular from the rear of the body (110) and spaced to allow the jaws of the clamp (90) to be positioned there between. A fastener (220) is positioned through the brackets (210) and the clamp (90) to allow rotation. In one embodiment, the rotation may be limited to ensure the faces of the bodies (110) always remain oriented toward center.

The diagrams, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally, some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting fence railings to post for assembly comprising: a body and a door hinged to encircle the fence post; and a closing mechanism securely clamping the encircling body and door to the fence post, the body further comprising a support extending perpendicular from the body.
 2. An apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising a grounding point on the body or door.
 3. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the closing mechanism further comprises force binders and a clamp binding to the force binders.
 4. An apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein the force binders are notches in the body and the door against which the clamp may bind.
 5. An apparatus as described in claim 1 further comprising, a notched distal end extending upward from the support distal the body.
 6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein the notched distal end further comprises additional supports extending from the notched end.
 7. An apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the door is substantially similar to the body.
 8. An apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the door or the body is oriented approximately 180 degrees in the vertical orientation.
 9. A method of constructing a fence comprising: encircling a fence post at a pre-determined height with a clamping apparatus comprising: a body with an outwardly extending support; a door; a hinge connecting the body and door; and a closing mechanism for securing the apparatus to the post; encircling a second fence post at a pre-determined height with a second clamping device; and positioning a rail on the extending supports of the clamping devices; securing the rail to the posts; and removing the plurality of clamping devices.
 10. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 9 further comprising: encircling one or more central posts at a pre-determined height with additional clamping devices.
 11. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 9 further comprising: sliding the rail along its length to refine its position prior to securing the rail to the post.
 12. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 9 wherein securing the rail comprises welding the rail and the post.
 13. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 12 wherein the clamping apparatus further comprises a grounding connection for welding equipment.
 14. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 9 wherein securing the rail comprises drilling and bolting the rail to the post.
 15. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 9 wherein securing the rail further comprises adhering the rail to the post with adhesive and allowing the adhesive to cure before removing one or more of the clamping devices.
 16. A method of constructing a fence comprising: enclosing a fence post at a pre-determined height with a clamping apparatus comprising: a body with an outwardly extending support; a door; a hinge connecting the body and door; and a closing mechanism for securing the apparatus to the post; positioning a first end of a rail on the extending support of the clamping device; lifting the distal end of the rail and securing said distal end to a second post at a pre-determined height; securing the first end of the rail to the first post; and removing the clamping device.
 17. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 16 further comprising: sliding the rail along its length to refine its position prior to securing the rail to the second post.
 18. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 16 wherein securing the rail comprises welding the rail and the post.
 19. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 16 wherein the clamping apparatus further comprises a grounding connection for welding equipment.
 20. A method of constructing a fence as described in claim 16 wherein securing the rail comprises drilling and bolting the rail to the post. 